The old Bible

(I was browsing at our branch library's monthly book sale and an old Bible caught my eye. As I thumbed through it I came across photographs inside and wondered what stories this old book held.)





"The old Holy Bible lay in the bin marked religious at the library book sale. Abandoned. Black, soft sided, worn, well used and soiled. Inside was a small faded photograph. A snapshot, of an elderly white haired couple, evidently man and wife standing behind a table that was covered with a white lace tablecloth. She was holding a silver cake knife above a large white frosted cake. His hand was on hers lightly posed as if gently guiding the process. Her light pink polyester dress was graced with a white carnation corsage, Glasses on them both.Her head was covered with "just out of the beauty parlor grey ringlet curls. His light beige suit was topped off with a white shirt and blue patterned tie.

Smile, the person behind the camera had told them. Pretend it is 50 years ago when you two were youngsters and getting married. Smiling wanly the old couple realized how tired they were of all the folderol Opening the presents. etc . Her feet hurt. his eyes were stinging from the glare in the church hall windows.Who were all these people her daughters had invited in to celebrate the occasion. Distant cousins from Smyrna,Tennessee. Old relatives from South Georgia. Who are all these old people? If we know any of them I don't remember. My how they all have aged.

She grabed hold of Hiram's hand and whispered in his ear. "I love you sweetheart but it's time to go"

----------------- .

Oh my heavens. She spilled coffee on her Bible making an awful mess. Her hands are unsteady. She grabbed a box of Kleenex and started wiping up the wetness but the brown stain had seeped into the opening pages and along the sides. What kind of bad luck is that. Staining a Holy Book, even if by accident.

Suddenly she remembered the photographs and quickly flipped the pages to 1st Samuel. No, the coffee had not made it that far. No damage to their 50th anniversary picture either. Or the small 6th grade photo of grandson Jesse. That's a blessing in itself. She used the photos as bookmarks in her bible. A comfort to keep her loved ones close by.

These days the smallest blessings mean a lot. Living alone and isolated on the old farm seems to get harder and harder to take the older she gets. Her only companions are Junior the old yellow lab mix and Kitty the tabby cat . Animals are a comfort when the nights are cold and the wind whistles down the chimney causing the flames to flicker in the fireplace.

Staring into the yellow and blue flames she can almost see him looking back at her. Telling her not to worry. Everything will be all right. Hiram never meant to go first and leave her all alone but his heart just gave out that hot day in the fields when he overdid it. She had told him to watch out for heat exhaustion. He felt he was strong as an ox, even at 70 years old. But the blazing sun and his weak heart took him from her that long ago July day.

Now she feels like a half a pair of sissors. The rest of her went missing with him. They were so close. A team. After so many years of togetherness the void is unbearable.

But she remembers what the minister said at the funeral service. " Part of being a "good wife" is being a "good widow" If fate calls upon you to bear this sorrow then honor his name by remembering the good times and carrying on with grace and dignity the best you know how."

Sighing she arises slowly from the creaking old rocking chair. She says aloud.

"Time for bed now.
Goodnight dearest.
Goodnight Hiram."

(By Chancy)